Civil Society Europe Newsletter
May 2025
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Welcome to CSE’s May newsletter! In this edition, we bring you the launch of our civil dialogue award, our packed roundtable on the ECBA directive, our joint letter calling for the rejection of an inquiry committee on NGO funding, and more. Read on to find out!
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CSE and Greens/EFA Host Packed Roundtable on ECBA Directive in European Parliament
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On June 3rd, 2025, CSE, with the support of the Greens/EFA, held a successful high-level roundtable discussion on the European Cross-Border Associations (ECBA) Directive in the European Parliament. This event brought together distinguished colleagues from several member states, along with key representatives from civil society.
Participants engaged passionately with the topics, discussing the benefits of the proposed directive on the non-profit sector. Its potential impact in facilitating cross-border responses in humanitarian crises was a key discussion point, and a useful example of the impact ECBA could have for those on the ground.
We’d like to warmly thank the Greens/EFA for their support and all those who participated.
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CSE Launches First Edition of the Civil Dialogue Award
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Do you or someone you know within an EU institution, agency, or body regularly engage with civil society? Do you or the nominee uphold the concept of civil dialogue in your work through meaningful inclusion of civil society organisations? Then you may be who we’re looking for!
The Civil Dialogue Award aims to acknowledge best practices of civil society inclusion in EU policy-making that took place in the last 3 years (from 2022 onwards).
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After the nomination and selection process is complete, the winner of the award will be presented at an award ceremony, hosted by us, in Brussels in late 2025. For more information on the nomination process, please click here. To nominate someone, please fill out this form by July 15th, 2025. |
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Joint Civil Society Contribution to the Rule of Law Report
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Civil Society Europe coordinated a joint civil society contribution to the Commission 2025 Rule of Law report, focusing on civic space. The contribution provides an overview of horizontal trends in the EU, outlines overall recommendations to strengthen the EU Rule of Law Cycle and proposes country-specific recommendations for most Member States, as well as candidate countries.
Read the report here.
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CSE, TI EU & EEB Call for Rejection of Inquiry Committee on NGO Funding
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In the ongoing attack against civil society, some MEPs from the European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament are calling to establish an inquiry committee on EU funding to NGOs. Committees of inquiry are rare and are typically used to investigate genuine breaches of EU law.
Read the press release here and full letter here.
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CSE Publishes Statement on the Upcoming Democracy Shield
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In the context of the consultation on the upcoming Democracy Shield, CSE underlines that the Shield must be an opportunity for the EU to secure, safeguard and promote its ‘critical democratic infrastructure’, including its rule of law institutions, fundamental rights and civil society, at the national and EU levels; strengthen citizens’ societal and democratic resilience and empowerment; ensure consistency between the EU’s external commitment to democracy, rule of law and promotion of civic space and its policies to protect and promote them within the Union.
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The Democracy Shield should increase transparency, independent fact-checking and secure a strong institutional and civic resilience of electoral processes; it should develop an institutional ‘firewall’ against attacks to critical democratic infrastructure and to promote democracy at the EU level; it should make the EU a benchmark for transparency, accountability and participation in policy-making; it should uphold a robust public support for civil resilience and for a civic digital space; and equip European citizens with the civic skills for today’s democracy. Read the statement here. |
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Webinar: The Use and Benefits of a Directive on European Cross-Border Associations
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On the 5th May, CSE spoke at the joint webinar “The use and benefits of a Directive on European Cross-Border Associations”, organised by CSE, Social Services Europe and CEDAG. The webinar, aimed at social service providing associations, presented the ECBA Directive, its potential impact for associations, and the state of discussions in the Council.
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Launch Event: Western Balkans Reform and Growth Monitor
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On the 8th May, CSE spoke at the launch event of the Western Balkans Reform and Growth Monitor organised by the European Policy Institute – Skopje (EPI) within the Think for Europe Network (TEN). The initiative aims at supporting stakeholder participation in the implementation of the Reform Agendas in the Western Balkans.
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You can rewatch the launch event here.
You can access the WB Reform and Growth Monitor here.
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Joint Non-Profit Coalition Submit to European Banking Authority Public Consultation
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CSE, along with Philea, European Center for Not-for-Profit Law, Human Security Collective, and European Fundraising Association recently shared our joint perspective on the draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) that have been suggested by the European Banking Authority, under the EU's new Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime.
While we agree these standards will be important to the AML/CFT, we remain concerned that elements of the RTS's will lead to unintended consequences for the non-profit sector, and we highlight these in our letter.
Read the letter here.
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Events you don't want to miss!
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Register: CSE's Discussion on the European Cross-Border Association (ECBA)
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On Thursday 19 June, CSE will hold its Annual General Assembly in Mundo Madou and online. From 11:00 to 13:00, we will have an open session on "The European Cross-Border Association (ECBA): What are the key challenges for associations in the single market?". The proposed Directive would provide non-profit organisations with members from different Member States to be recognised and operate in all the Member States. It would also be the first time the non-profit sector is recognised by EU legislation. With the proposed Directive approved in the Parliament and being discussed in the Council, we cordially invite all interested civil society organisations to join us for this discussion.
You can read the agenda here. Please register here by June 13th.
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Civitates - Call for Proposals: Protecting and Expanding Civic Space in Italy
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Civitates announced a call for project proposals open to civil society organizations registered in Italy in order to support efforts to build democratic cultures and support civil society and civic participation in the current context. Civitates aims to support up to 8 projects for one year (with potential no-cost extension) in a maximum amount of 30.000 EUR to selected grantees. The grant covers project costs relevant to and reflective of the planned activities.
For more information on eligibility and selection criteria as well as the project, please carefully read the full proposal available here.
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European Parliament - MFF Dedicated Website Launched
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The EU long-term budget, also known as Multiannual Financial Framework, drives investment in Europe’s future, improving citizens’ lives. It funds common projects and delivers on priorities from economic competitiveness to agriculture. The European Parliament has launched a dedicated website to explore the benefits of the EU budget and learn how decisions about it are made. Discover the website here. |
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